Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.
Chapter 19 - February 16th, 2017
"I'm overboard, and I need your love. Pull me up, I can't swim on my own, it's to much. Feels like I'm drowning without your love. So throw yourself out to me, my life saver." - Excerpt from Overboard, Justin Bieber ft. Miley Cyrus
Love was cruel.
Yes, that was what Liam had determined for the whole 27 year period of his life.
Sure there were a million other things that Liam accumulated... but those seemed like trifles compared to love. Love was an intense feeling of deep affection by textbook definition. But lately, love seemed to hurt Liam a lot more than the opposite. Love was an interesting concept, and Liam didn't think he'd ever truly understand it... but he thought that he knew what love was.
He couldn't be more wrong.
Liam knew he was a bad person for thinking this, but he wished that Nick would never wake up. Of course, that would completely and utterly destroy Miley—and Liam knew that as well as anyone. Miley probably didn't know that she needed Nick—but Liam knew. Maybe he always knew... maybe he had just been able to ignore it better before. Before Nick... Before... well, the storm.
Liam stared at the door, wanting Miley to walk in. She was rarely around anymore, and when she was, she was with all of the dogs and horses and whatnot. Liam loved the animals like crazy, but he would've appreciated a little bit of attention from Miley, too. He wondered if it was possible to miss someone so much that his chest hurt so much with the pain. It was like she had taken his heart and never bothered to return it.
At least she still wore her engagement ring—a small comfort.
Was she doing it to prove a point? Liam sighed. A man could drive himself crazy with such thoughts.
"Liam? Are you in here?"
Shivers flushed down Liam's spine, and his heart leapt. "Miley?"
She entered the room, her footsteps so light it was as if she weighed nothing at all. She joined him at the couch, and a small yet fleeting smile graced her perfect lips. She acted like nothing was wrong—and nothing (probably) was wrong in her world. Her smile turned into an apologetic one. "I'm sorry, you know? For neglecting you as of late. I never got to say thank you."
He smirked. "That can be arranged."
Her smile grew warmer. "Thank you, Liam," she murmured and then leaned her head in the crook of his neck. He snaked his arm around her shoulders, and she hummed quietly for a few heartbeats. Then, she twisted her head to look at him. "Thank you," she repeated, a silly smile spreading across her lips. "You've been my rock through all of this, and I know I don't say it enough."
He pressed his lips against her forehead. "You don't have to say anything, Mi..."
She smiled. "Well, I think I do."
His heart fluttered a little. "Well, then you're welcome," he joked in a teasing voice. A lazy smile floated on her lips as they lay in silence. He closed his eyes, knowing that the moment wouldn't last long. But these were the moments that made him want more. These were the moments that made every single problem all worth it in their lives. "Is Nick awake?"
Miley sighed a little. "Not when I visited him." Then, Miley pressed her lips against his cheek.
Love was amazing.
"You're really worried about him, aren't you?" Liam murmured quietly.
"Yeah, I am," Miley said softly, sighing again. "I can't just not. Sometimes, I wish I could." Then, Miley pulled back from his hold. She stood up so quickly that Liam would've missed it if he'd blinked. She looked as if she was about to step out the door, but she faltered and turned back to him, her apology in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I just... I need to see Nick."
Liam sighed, knowing that his disappointment was in his eyes though he did his best to hide it.
Scratch that thing about love being amazing. Love was cruel.
Still In Love Somehow
An angel always visited Nick's dreams, and he was quite content with that.
Sometimes, he would feel like he could go back to the conscious and alert world, but he couldn't quite manage it. The angel that drifted in his dreams made him want to stay. His angel was always just watch him in that quiet precious way of hers, and she would always be wearing white. She would have a small smile on her face, and she would look so perfect.
The only problem? She never spoke.
She would always watch him, and sometimes, he thought that her beautiful blue gaze conveyed a message, but he could never seem to understand it. His angel was truly indescribable. She had gorgeous light-brown locks that cascaded down her back in perfect waves. Her blue eyes seem to glow against her complexion, and she was always barefoot.
It hadn't taken Nick long enough to realize that his angel was Miley.
Well, the angel looked like how Miley did years ago—maybe that was because Nick was picturing the way she had been when she was his.
No matter. His angel was with him—even if she never spoke—and he was perfectly fine.
Nick watched his angel meet his gaze. He tried to step towards her, but there always seemed to be a misty fog separating them. She shook her head as he reached out to her, and Nick sighed. "Miley," he whispered, and the angel's eyes flashed hauntingly. He tried to step closer to her, but the mist blocked him. He reached a hand out towards her and stared with pleading eyes.
The angel's blue eyes seemed to pierce right through Nick's soul. She extended her hand out towards Nick's, but her fingers did not pass through the fog. They sort of just hovered there, a breath away from Nick's. So close yet so far away, Nick thought as he watched his angel. She didn't look troubled by the fact that their hands could not touch, but she didn't looked happy about it, either.
Her lips parted, and he thought that she had mouthed his name.
Then, miraculously, she stepped past the fog and slipped her hand into his, squeezing his hand tightly. Nick's heart leapt, and he squeezed back. He met her eyes, and her soft smile grew—if possible—even warmer. She squeezed his hand tightly, as if she was scared of letting go. Then, she leaned closer to him until their gazes were completely level. "Say something," he whispered.
Her lips parted, but no words came out. "Please," he begged.
Finally, after an eternity, she breathed, "Wake up."
"How?"
But she was gone, and Nick was alone again, with only the mist to keep him company.
He would wake up for his angel. He just didn't know how.
"Miley," he called. He wanted to feel her hand laced with his again. He couldn't do this without her. He searched the darkness for his shining angel, but he couldn't find her. Nick had never felt more alone. "Where are you?" he muttered, blushing as he realized that he was talking to himself. But he didn't care. He stepped forward. "Where are you?" he echoed.
"Please wake up..." came her distant whisper.
Then, she was by his side, her fingers wrapped around his. Her gaze was so clear and so, so sad. "Why won't you wake up?"
Her hold on him faltered, but Nick gripped her hand. "Stay," he breathed. "I... I need you."
The angel's gaze traveled from their intertwined fingers to his eyes—
—and Nick fell back into the darkness.
Still In Love Somehow
No way.
Miley stared, jolted, as Nick's fingers curled around hers. Had she imagined it, or had he really said something? His lips were slightly parted, but she could hear his voice ringing out in her head: "Stay... I... I need you." Maybe he hadn't said that. Maybe she was hallucinating. Miley's lips twisted into a sad smile. Maybe she could pretend that he had said that.
Gently, Miley took a deep breath and steeled herself. Time to try an experiment, she thought. Let's see if I'm crazy or not. Then, Miley gently started tugging her fingers away from Nick's. His breath hitched slightly, and he made a sound that sounded like a cross between a gasp and a sigh. But his fingers tightened around hers. Miley smiled. That was all the proof she needed.
Then, Miley pried his fingers away from hers with visible effort. Then, she leaned down and pressed her lips against his forehead. "Sleep well, Nicholas. Just don't forget to wake up," she murmured softly. Then, she leaned away and walked away from his bed. She cast a tender look over her shoulder at his sleeping body. He looked so peaceful.
Miley took a seat by the chair beside his bed and rested her chin in her palm.
Her phone chimed with a text. Miley pulled out her phone and checked it. The text was from Demi: where are you? A wry smile crossed Miley's lips as she began to respond. Then, the hospital room opened, and Demi waltzed in, smirking and looking very pleased with herself. "There you are!" Demi announced. "I checked your house—Liam told me that you weren't there—so I came here."
Miley raised a brow. "Are you sure you didn't ask Liam where I was instead?"
Demi laughed vivaciously. "Of course not, silly!" Demi casually took a seat by her. "So," she said animatedly, "what're you doing here?"
"Just checking on Nick," Miley said with a soft lopsided smile.
"Of course you are," Demi murmured. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen Nick so quiet..."
"Um... that's because he's sleeping."
Demi glared. "Don't ruin this for me."
Miley raised her palms in defense. "I won't, I won't." Demi smiled, grunting in satisfaction. Miley sighed as she cast another look at Nick. He looked utterly defenseless. Without thinking, Miley reached forward and brushed some of his unruly curls out of his face. Smiling in satisfaction, Miley peered at his face. Some fresh curls were already falling into his face again, and he looked so adorable.
Demi chuckled. "Wow, Miles."
Miley blushed. "What?"'
Demi shook her head. "You're way in over your head."
Miley looked up. "Is that a bad thing?" A challenge laced her voice.
"Not... a bad thing, not necessarily. Just keep a very close eye on Nick from now on. We don't want any more casualties."
Still In Love Somehow
Nick's angel came back.
She was smiling and laughing, and Nick felt a smile play on his lips as he watched her. Then, as his vision adjusted, he noticed that she was not wearing white. Instead, she was wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of shorts that looked messy and rebellious in an edgy way. They also looked as if Miley had cut them off from a pair of jeans. What was with this girl and her obsession of making shorts out of jeans? Her hair was also shorter, a few inches past her shoulder—a cluster of brown and platinum locks.
Oh.
Nick forced his eyes open, but he couldn't manage it that much. He squinted off to see Miley and Demi sitting side by side and chatting animatedly. Nick tried to move, but sharp-shooting pain shot through him. He almost gasped as he let the dizziness shake off. He heard their voices. "God, Miley," came Demi's teasing voice, "stop looking so worried. You don't want worry lines permanently ingrained on your pretty face."
There was a sigh, Miley's no doubt. "I can't help it."
Nick's heart leapt. Miley was worried about him? Wait...
Memories shot through Nick, sharper than a needle. He remembered the dizzy sensation before he... collapsed? And then... he ended up in... the hospital? It sure smelled all clinical-y and clean. A sharp scent wreathed around Nick, and he tried to open his eyes again. He failed. No surprise there. Nick felt a hand slip into his, squeezing his hand. Miley. He felt a faint smile prick on his lips. He squeezed back.
"That's cute, you know?" came Demi's voice.
Nick felt Miley's hand heat up in his. "What is?" Miley inquired.
"You and Nick."
Nick opened his eyes and stared. He could see Miley. She was less than a foot away from him. She was sitting on his hospital bed, her fingers gently squeezing his. First, Miley looked startled and shocked. Then, delight crossed her features. Nick sat up in bed as Miley came to her senses. Then, he met her eyes gently, their fingers still intertwined. Then, she threw her arms around him. He clutched her shuddering body. "Mi..." he murmured.
He closed his eyes as he slid his arms around her, resting his hands on her slim waist thrillingly. He looked up slightly to meet Demi's gaze. Demi smiled a little and mouthed, Team Niley. Nick blushed and felt Miley bury her face in his neck. He sighed contentedly, pulling her body closer to his. I love you, I love you so much, he thought as he closed his eyes.
When Miley pulled back from the embrace, her face was flushed. Nick smiled gently and pulled her hand to his. "How are you, Mi?" he murmured.
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head in disbelief. "Unbelievable. You can almost die... yet you can still act like the perfect gentleman..."
Nick smiled. "Mi?"
"I'm fine," she muttered. "And you... you're..." Miley's words failed her.
Demi strode over to the other side of Nick's bed and squeezed his shoulder. "How are you, Nick?"
"I'm okay," Nick murmured softly. He was better than 'good.' Miley wasn't ignoring him, like he thought she might've. Miley was talking to him. She was worried about him. "I'm more than okay, actually," Nick confessed. He gingerly embraced Demi and was sure that she was exchanging a glance with Miley as he did so. Then, he grabbed Miley's hand again, holding hers. He wasn't ready to let go yet.
"'Okay,'" Miley echoed. "You just woke up from a possible coma, and your response is 'I'm okay.'"
"What do you want me to say? That I'm great?" Nick joked half-teasingly.
"No! You're supposed to feel terrible!"
Nick laughed. "Oh?" he said, amused. "Am I?"
A stubborn look crossed Miley's face, and Nick squeezed her hand. "I'm just teasing," he murmured to her, and a slight smile tugged at her lips. "I missed you, you know?" he murmured. Demi shot him an extremely offended look, and Nick was quick to add a hastily stuttered mumble of a "I missed you, too, Demi." For good measure, he also added in a half-joking voice, "Who wouldn't?"
Demi smirked. "I know, right?"
Realization slapped Nick right in the face. "Does the press know about this?" Nick inquired.
"There were hospital trucks all over your house," Miley said weakly.
Nick sighed. "I should've known."
"You're on the news—for doing nothing!" Demi piped up.
"Technically," Miley corrected, "it's impossible to do nothing. If you think about it—"
"Grr, Miley, quit taking my spotlight."
Miley smiled weakly. "Sorry, Dem." Nick didn't miss the ghost of a smirk playing on Miley's face. Demi watched suspiciously, and Miley stared back coolly with a sort of refined innocence. Nick smiled at Miley and gave her hand a tight squeeze. Miley squeezed back and shot him a reassuring smile. "You're going to be bombarded with a bunch of interviews and what not, you know?"
Nick nodded weakly. "Yeah, I know. You guys'll help me fend them off, right?"
Demi grinned. "Totally!"
Miley smiled warmly, and butterflies danced in Nick's stomach. "Try and stop me."
QotD: What is something you want more than anything else in the world?
#To Be A Professional Writer
A/N: Hey, it's Darky! Now, I usually write this story from Nick's POV (actually, that's just what I planned to do in the first place), so now that's he's awake (I'm sorry, but I just couldn't hold that off and make all the chapters in between a mix of POVs just because I had ZERO ideas whatsoever), expect a lot more to happen. Haha, I'm such a tease. Oh, and that ship that's going to come along... That's going to be in the next chappie!
As for Nick's dream-illusion-hallucination thing, I'm sure it didn't make much sense... but hey, it was dream thing... So it doesn't have to! Right?
And in the last chapter, did anyone notice the hint: "Miley sighed. 'You know, Demi, I'm really glad you're here. I think if anyone else was with me, I'd break down.'" Note that that means that Miley would've broken down if Liam was there. I'm not sure if anyone caught that, but I wanted to point this out... Haha. Time for me to start writing the next chappie, just because.
Review your answer to the QotD! Tell me your thoughts? I appreciate it though you don't need to. But who doesn't love reviews? ;)
- Darky